Chapter22-The Last Container, We've Lost Our Shirts!

Before the third container was opened, Robert stated, "The goods in this container are the same as the previous two."

"Although we are uncertain if those collectibles got incinerated along with the second container, we still have to pray that they are in this last one."

"It's the only way for us to have a shot at a big score."

Daniel didn't wait for him to finish, his gaze already locked onto the container, silently uttering the word 'appraisal' in his mind.

Detailed information instantly popped up in his consciousness.

[Item]: Container

[Age]: Modern

[Condition]: Slightly worn

[Details]: Cargo from Lomand, holds the collectibles of a wealthy man from Country E.

[Appraisal]: Valuable to a certain extent

[Market Price]: 35,800

[Buyback Price]: 30,000

What the heck?

These so-called collectibles from the Country E tycoon are only worth a little over 30,000 StellaCoins?

What kind of crappy tycoon is this?!

Seeing the data, Daniel couldn't help but laugh out of exasperation.

He'd initially thought that those ceremonial rune stones from the Mayan civilization would be the tycoon's collectibles.

He didn't expect them to be in this last box.

Moreover, their value was merely a little over 30,000 StellaCoin.

Daniel glanced at the crowd.

Some treasure hunters had already reignited their fighting spirit, ready to vie for this last container.

His gaze swept over Joseph Thompson, who was also gearing up.

It seemed that it was necessary to lend a hand.

A mischievous smile appeared at the corner of Daniel's mouth.

At the front of the crowd, Robert announced somewhat listlessly, "As per the usual, let's examine the goods first."

With that, the container door was opened.

Although the crowd wasn't particularly enthusiastic, they still gathered to inspect the contents.

Daniel's eyes followed suit.

What greeted his eyes were the items placed at the entrance of the container.

They were two glass cabinets.

Allen's eyes suddenly lit up, "Bro, they look like jewelry display cabinets."

Abel didn't respond, just nodded, placing a finger on his lips, signaling Allen to keep quiet.

Even though everyone's savvy enough to recognize the glass cabinets as display cases, it's best not to voice one's observations aloud if avoidable.

Just as the brothers had figured, the others also recognized them.

"Holy cow, they're display cases!"

"They look like they're meant to showcase small collectibles, like jewelry."

"It could also be for ceramics, like bowls or plates."

In an instant, everyone's enthusiasm was stoked.

Further inside were all sorts of odds and ends.

What was visible included some medieval swords and armor, contemporary clothes of that era, and even modern-day manufactured items like brooms and mops.

The rest were all sizes of cabinets, where it wasn't clear if there were any items inside.

Seeing this, some people couldn't help but start bidding.

"8000 StellaCoins!"

The people present were all professional treasure hunters.

They knew that if the items in the container were real, the price would exceed a million.

But all they could do was observe from afar.

Antique appraisal can't rely on just a distant inspection, and even up close, only appraisal masters can discern the real from the fake, and even they can't guarantee accuracy.

These professional treasure hunters obviously lacked such skills.

8000 StellaCoins was just to test the waters.

If they could get it for not much more than this, even if everything was fake, they wouldn't lose money.

Clearly, the other treasure hunters wouldn't let it go so easily.

"Save your 8,000 for your visit to the brothel, I bid 10,000!"

"Though we don't know if these things are real or fake, hoping to nab it for 10,000 is nothing short of a pipe dream! I bid 15,000!"

The bidding had barely started, and the atmosphere was already thick with competitive tension.

All the treasure hunters began their fierce scramble!

The starting bid of 8,000 quickly rose to 80,000 in just a few rounds.

Everyone was going all out, throwing in as much money as they had, some even calling in to mortgage assets to continue bidding.

In less than five minutes, the price had soared to 650,000!

The bid came from Joseph Thompson.

He had initially given up, but the appearance of the third container reignited his fighting spirit.

Though he wasn't exactly a professional treasure hunter.

He would only show up for the auctions when his partners successfully plundered items and shipped them to the port.

This allowed him to evade police tracking, a necessary precaution.

He didn't even have basic appraisal skills, but the sight of these 'antiques' had him fired up.

During the bidding, he kept casting glances, consciously or unconsciously, at Daniel.

Among the whole auction, only this damned fellow could compete with him.

Seeing Daniel had no intention of bidding for a while, he let out a sigh of relief.

This loot is mine!

Daniel, who was standing aside, had noticed Joseph Thompson's burning gaze several times.

This guy, so afraid of him making a move?

Daniel couldn't help but chuckle.

He had planned to bid just to get under Joseph Thompson's skin, but before he could make a move, the price had shot up to 650,000.

To purchase this loot at that price would be an overt loss.

However, that still wasn't enough.

Daniel glanced around.

The price of 650,000 had everyone treading carefully.

There had been no bids for quite a while.

Just as Robert was about to declare the result, Daniel casually piped up, "I bid 651,000!"

The sudden bid made everyone pause.

Joseph Thompson turned his head and, seeing it was Daniel who had made the bid, his face immediately darkened.

The scoundrel had finally made a move!

And just like before, he was raising the bid by a mere 1,000!

Was he resorting to his old tricks?

But what he didn't know was that Thompson was determined to win the contents of this container!

Suppressing his anger, Thompson barked, "700,000!"

At this point, everyone else had chosen to withdraw.

They saw the situation as one lunatic versus one nouveau riche.

Whether they were genuinely bidding or not, competing with them would be a wasted effort.

It was more entertaining to watch the show.

This money didn't need to be made.

Daniel smirked, sensing Thompson had taken the bait, and responded in his usual manner, "701,000!"

"Daniel!"

Joseph Thompson was on the verge of bursting with anger.

If Daniel had been genuinely competing with him, he wouldn't be this furious.

But this adding of 1,000 each time was clearly him being toyed with!

"Robert, aren't you going to intervene?!" Thompson fumed.

"Adding just 1,000 for each raise in this price range?"

Publicly insulted, Robert's face turned grim, "I'm sorry, but currently, the port doesn't have any specific rules against such behavior. Mr. Thompson, I will take note of your suggestion and bring it up during our next meeting."

It was clear from his response that Robert wasn't going to intervene.

Everyone understood his position.

Robert was the auctioneer and project planner.

If you disrespected him in front of everyone, who in their right mind would bother with you?

Knowing he was in the wrong, Thompson had no choice but to swallow his pride.

His gaze fell on Daniel.

The whites of his eyes were bloodshot, his hatred for Daniel ran deep and was etched into his soul.

Once this auction was over, he would show Daniel what he was capable of!

"I bid 710,000!" Joseph declared.

Daniel replied calmly, "711,000."

Joseph, repressing his anger, called out, "720,000!"

"721,000."

"730,100!"

"740,000!"

"..."

"950,000!"

Joseph yelled, nearly aflame with rage.

This was his final struggle.

If that bastard dared to follow again, he would throw in the towel and let him have it!

Worse comes to worst, he would just rob Daniel later!

Everyone's eyes were on Daniel, waiting for him to declare that '951,000' bid.

Surprisingly, Daniel waved his hand and smiled leisurely, "Sorry, I'm out."

Wait, what???

For a moment, everyone was left with a question mark over their heads.

The bid hadn't even reached 960,000.

What was going on here?

With Daniel's financial capability, he shouldn't just drop out like that, especially with all those visible treasures on the line.

Hadn't everyone gathered here today to bid for this lot?

The online viewers in the live stream shared the same confusion.

"Streamer, what's happening?"

"Did you get scared because of the loss in the last container?"

"Those items fit the era perfectly. They're almost certainly genuine. Why would you back out after all this haggling?"

Daniel merely smiled mysteriously and whispered, "Don't rush it, the best is yet to come."

Everyone failed to understand, firmly believing that Daniel had chickened out.

Now, all eyes were on Joseph Thompson, the one who would open the container.